Press Release: 13 February 2009
Evaton goes green with renewable energy for street lighting
In what is potentially great news for the renewable energy industry and the community of Evaton, the Executive Mayor of Emfuleni, Cllr Assistance Mshudulu will switch on the pilot solar powered lights in Adams Road on Tuesday, 17 February - the first of its kind in the Region.
It is not by coincidence that the switching on of Evaton streets happens in the face of Eskom's inability to cope with demand of electricity and the government‘s renewable energy target of 10 000GWH by 2013 . For the country to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, the reliance on dirty fossil fuel has to end and other safe energy sources, such as solar and wind, are now starting to add their “green” electrons to the electricity grid. Other major municipalities in South Africa have already started switching the traffic lights from the conventional means of supply to renewable energy.
According to Mayor Mshudulu, the blackouts experienced since 2005, particularly in the first half of 2008, have highlighted the importance of sustainable and secure energy supply to achieve socio-economic development in Emfuleni Municipality. The supply of conventional means of energy has always been erratic in unfavourable weather condition particularly in Evaton.
He also indicated that Emfuleni, like other municipalities is tasked with the challenge of ensuring that crucial issues like climate change, energy security and shared growth and development which are all crucial elements of service delivery are effectively addressed and adhered to in accordance with the national prescription.
“As it has been clearly demonstrated and spoken about from different quarters, energy security plays a crucial role in ensuring that municipalities meet their economic, social and environmental objectives, and that it remains an attractive destination for investment. It will add certain impetus to the Urban Renewal initiatives that are already starting to manifest in a positive way”, the Mayor added.
Accordingly, Adams road has been targeted for the pilot project for this initiative which the Evaton development framework and the master plan for Evaton Renewal defines as a key growth corridor for economic and centre for development that is already linked to key commercial entities and major social institutions. The estimates for solar power street lighting are similar to the costs of conventional street lighting, but the saving in monthly repayments, friendly environment atmosphere and the reliability make a huge difference.
The devices to be installed have the power efficiency of three consecutive days in the event of no sunlight and it has been produced locally making it user friendly for replacements in case of defaults in apparatus without unnecessary delays. It is also of note that units are independent from one another, meaning that if one unit malfunctions the others continues uninterrupted.
According to Samantha Kaine the Project Manager for the Evaton Urban Renewal, “The project will continue to look at new and alternative technology that will firstly benefit the community of Evaton, achieve government's objectives and make it a viable and preferred destination for investors into the area”.
Press Release Photographs
[ More Images can be found in the Image Gallery: Launch of Solar Powered Street Lights ]
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For further information, please contact:
Samantha Kaine
ERP Director
Evaton Renewal Project
Cell: 083 500 0209/ 082 469 7972
Samantha.Kaine@Gauteng.gov.za
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